Queen Elizabeth II passes away at 96

Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Thursday at Balmoral after reigning for 70 years. She was 96.

Her family gathered at her Scottish estate after concerns grew about her health earlier on Thursday.

She was the longest-serving monarch of the UK.

With her death, her eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will lead the country in mourning as the new King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said, "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."

All the Queen's children travelled to Balmoral, near Aberdeen, after doctors placed the Queen under medical supervision.

Her grandson, Prince William, is also there, with his brother, Prince Harry, on his way.

Know Queen Elizabeth II:

Queen Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926, in London's Mayfair.

She was Prince Albert's (Duke of York) eldest daughter.

On June 2, 1953, the official coronation of the Queen had taken place.

Her eldest child Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, is the heir to the throne.

The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change.